Laura Kōnia

Laura Kanaholo Kōnia Pauli (c.1808 - 1857) a Hawaiian princesss. Her grandfather was Kamehameha I, who in 1810 united all of the Hawaiian Islands under his ruling. She was the mother of Bernice Pauahi Paki, the founder Kamehameha Schools.

Life

She was the youngest daughter of High Chief Pauli Kaoleioku, by his second wife, High Chiefess Kahailiopua Luahine. [Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen (ISBN 0-8048-1066-4)] Her father was Pauli Ka'oleioku. born 1767, Kamehameha's illegitimate son by his aunt, Kanekapolei. He was recognised by his father and his son and two daughter were declared Royal Princes and Princesses by their grandfather, including Kōnia and her half-sister Kalanipauahi.

She married to High Chief Abner Kuho'oheiheipahu Paki at Honolulu, Ookinaahu, 1830. By 1840, her uncle, Kamehameha III and the Hawaiian chiefs had written a Hawaiian Constitution and established a legislature with a House of Nobles. She and her husband were members of the "House of Nobles" from 1840 to 1847. [ [http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/womeninpower/Womeninpower1840.htm Women with power 1840-70 ] ] Their duties was to vote on Laws, work on Kingdom economy, and be advisors to the king. Her husband also served as Chamberlain to the King, Judge of the Supreme Court, and Governor of Hawaii.

On December 19th, 1831 in Honolulu, Ookinaahu, she and Abner Paki conceived a daughter, who they named Bernice Pauahi Paki after her sister, Kalanipauahi, who was saved as a infant from a fire. Their daughter was born into a family with royal blood, which made her a princess. [ [http://www.myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=Bernice_Pauahi_Bishop_Kamehameha The My Hero Project - Bernice Pauahi Bishop ] ] She "hanaied" (adopted) her daughter to the "Kuhina-nui", Elizabeth Kinau.

She betrothed her daughter and to Kinau's son Lot in the Hawaiian practice of ho'opalau. Bernice had no affection for Lot. She later fell in love with Charles Reed Bishop and were married in 1850, when the princess was 18 years old. She and her husband Paki violently opposed this union. The wedding had to be held by the Cookes at Chiefs' Children's School. She and Paki, did not attend the wedding, hoping instead, that the princess would change her mind and marry Lot Kapuaiwa. She and her husband later accepted their new son-in-law and are reconciled with Bernice on the advice of Princess Victoria Kamāmalu on August 2, 1851.

In an account of the parens of Mrs. Bishop, Mr. Gilman says of Kōnia:

" She was one of nature's true noblewomen, such as were to be found in that then unenlightended country. She possessed the elements of a strong character and was a recognized force, not only in administration of her own affairs, but when the King, Kamehameha III., formed his first body of high chiefs into a council of the government, she, with a few other of like birth, were selected as his advisers. She was naturally of gentle manners, and physically was rather short of stature, though inclined to stoutness. The daughter, Bernice, inherited her mother's grace of manner, and those qualities whereby all recognized her inheritance of birth and blood. Paki was a fitting companion for Kōnia." [The Memoirs of Hon. Bernice Pauahi Bishop By Mary Hannah Krout, Page 11-12]

Her daughter Lydia

She was a well know poet and singer in the ancient Hawaiian traditional way. In accordance with Hawaiian tradition, she adopted Lydia Kamakaeha, the daughter of Kaisera Kapaokinaakea and Ane Keohokālole and Hawaiokinai's soon to be last monarch. She was the main influence of her daughter success as a musician during her early years. Before Liliu's schooling at Chiefs' Children's School, Konia had Liliu brought to her daily to fondle and love.

Her foster daughter was much closer to her than her natural daughter. Liliokinauokalani said "I knew no other father or mother than my foster-parents, no other sister than Bernice." It is even mention in Liliokinauokalani memoirs of her foster mother's death. She died during the influenza epidemic of Hawaii in July 2, 1857. The death of Paki and Kōnia placed her foster daughter under the charge of Bishop and Bernice.

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